Sheriff Maketa says Black Forest Fire investigation almost finished

EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. — The Black Forest Fire started in El Paso County one year ago Wednesday.

It killed two people and became the most destructive wildfire in state history in terms of number of homes destroyed. It also burned 14,000 acres of land.

Separate investigations have still not determined a cause or whether the fire was intentionally set.

El Paso County Sheriff Terry Maketa went before the media Tuesday to talk about the fire and the investigation. But it’s the first time he’s done that since being embroiled in a sex scandal involving female employees at the sheriff’s office.

Black Forest Fire investigation

Maketa kept the focus on the Black Forest Fire investigation even while he faced questions about the sex and mismanagement scandal.

He says Black Forest Fire investigators have ruled out several sources of ignition including:

Campfires

Car engines

Smoking

Lightning

“I don’t know that we’ll ever have a concrete source of ignition.”

Maketa says possible criminal charges have not been ruled out. Two people died and 488 homes were destroyed.

Other issues

Reporters were told Maketa would not answer questions about allegations he had sexual relationships with three employees, promoting all three to management positions. Those employees are still working at the sheriff’s office.

Maketa is also accused of creating a hostile work environment and illegally spending taxpayer dollars.

FOX31 Denver reporter asked, “A lot of people want to know the answer: are you thinking about resigning or have you any apology in terms of what’s going on in your office as we hear it in Denver?”

Maketa responded, “As I’ve said I am staying here until this investigation is completed. There’s a lot of facts that are going to come out after this independent investigation is completed and I think the community deserves to hear those facts before any more judgments, executions or determinations of guilt are made.”

1 Comment

From my experience as an ex-volunteer firefighter, I would think along the lines of something spreading wide like that could be a root fire. Tree roots ignite and spread through the root networks real quick, then it is popping out of trees, all over the place.